Matthew Stafford's journey to potential MVP status is a rollercoaster of a story, isn't it? It began with serious doubts about his ability to even play due to a nagging back issue. But now, he's earned his first-ever first-team All-Pro honor! This is a huge achievement, a testament to his resilience and skill.
Typically, when a quarterback receives this prestigious All-Pro recognition, the MVP award follows suit. However, as we've seen, that's not always the case. Last year, Lamar Jackson, the Ravens' quarterback, was named first-team All-Pro, yet Josh Allen of the Bills took home the MVP title.
And this is the part most people miss... This deviation from the norm hadn't occurred since 1987, when Joe Montana was the first-team All-Pro quarterback, but John Elway was awarded the MVP. A factor in Montana's loss could be attributed to his teammate, Jerry Rice, who likely took away some of the votes.
Looking at the numbers, Stafford received 31 first-place votes, while Drake Maye got 18. Last year, Lamar Jackson had 30 first-place votes, and Josh Allen had 18.
But here's where it gets controversial... This suggests that Drake Maye, or perhaps another player, could still snatch the MVP award. While history leans towards Stafford eventually being named NFL MVP, the competition is fierce!
Of course, the regular-season MVP is just one prize. The ultimate goal for any football player is to become a Super Bowl champion and, ideally, the Super Bowl MVP.
This double win has only happened twice since 1999 when Kurt Warner of the Rams achieved this feat. Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs' quarterback, broke a 23-year gap by winning the regular-season MVP, the Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl MVP award.
What do you think? Will Stafford's All-Pro status translate into an MVP award? Do you think another player has a better chance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
